Module:04 Hydraulic Turbines

4.1 Introduction:
Hydraulic (water) turbines are the machines which convert the water energy (Hydro power)
into Mechanical energy. The water energy may be cither in the form of potential energy as we
find in dams, reservoirs, or in the form of kinetic energy in flowing water. The shaft of the
turbine directly coupled to the electric generator which converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy. This is known as" Hydro-Electric power'.
4.2 Classification of Hydraulic Turbines:
Water turbines are classified into various kinds according to
1) The action of water on blades: These may be classified into
a) Impulse type b) Reaction type

a) In impulse turbine, the pressure of the flowing fluid over the runner is constant.
• In practice this pressure turn to be an atmospheric pressure.
• All the available potential energy at inlet will be completely used in producing kinetic
energy, which in turn utilized through a purely impulse effect to produce work.
• As a whole, in impulse turbine, the available energy at the inlet of a turbine is only the
kinetic energy.
Example –Pelton wheel
b) In reaction turbine, the turbine casing is filled with water and the water pressure changes
during flow through the rotor in addition to kinetic energy from nozzle (fixed blades).
• As a whole, both the potential energy and kinetic energy are available at the inlet of
reaction turbines for producing power.
Example- Francis turbine, Keplan turbine
2) Based on the direction of fluid flow through the runner :
Hydraulic machines are classified into:
a) Tangential or peripheral flow b) Radial inward or outward flow
c) Mixed or diagonal flow d)Axial flow types.
a) Tangential Flow Machines:
In tangential flow turbines, the water flows along the tangent to the path of rotation of the
runner. Example: Pelton wheel
b) Radial Flow Machines:
In radial flow machine, the water flows along the radial direction and flow remains normal to
the axis of rotation as it passes through the runner, It may be inward flow or outward flow.
In Inward flow turbines, the water enters at the outer periphery and passes through the runner
inwardly toward the axis of rotation and finally leaves at inner periphery.

Example: Francis turbine.

In outward flow machines the flow direction is opposite to the inward flow machines.
c) Mixed or Diagonal Flow:
In this type of turbine, the flow of fluid may enter at the outer periphery, passes over the runner
inwardly and leaves axially or parallel to the axis of rotation and vice-versa.

Examples: Modern Francis turbine, Deriaz turbine.

d) Axial Flow Devices:
In this type of turbine, the water flows along the direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

Examples: Kaplan turbine, propeller turbine etc.,

3) Based on the specific speed(NS) of the machine:
Hydraulic turbines are classified into:
(a) Low Specific Speed: Which employs high head in the range of 200 m up to 1700 m. These
machines requires low discharge.
Examples: Pelton wheel. NS = 10 to 30 single jet and 30 to 50 for double jet Pelton wheel.
(b) Medium Specific Speed: Which employs moderate heads in the range of 50m to 200 m.
Example: Francis turbine, NS = 60 to 400.
c) High Specific Speed: Which employs very low heads in the range of 2.5 m to 50 m. Thcsc
requires high discharge. Examples: Kaplan, Propeller etc. NS = 300 to 1000.

4.3 Impulse Water Turbine, Pelton Wheel:

This is only the impulse type of tangential flow
hydraulic turbine. This turbine is in common use.
This mainly posses
i) Nozzle ii) runner and buckets iii) casing iv)
brake nozzle.
Fig. shows general 1ayout of hydro-electric power
plant with pelton wheel.

Working:
The water from the dam is made flow through the penstock. At the end of the penstock, nozzle
is fitted which convert the pressure (potential) energy into high kinetic energy. The speed of
the jet issuing from the nozzle can be regulated by operating the spear head by varying the flow
area. The high velocity of jet impinging over the blades or runner due to which the runner starts
rotating because of the impulse effects and thereby hydraulic energy is converted into
mechanical energy. After the runner the water falls into tail race. Casing will provide the
housing for runner and is open to atmosphere. Brake nozzle are used to bring the runner from
high speed to rest condition whenever it is to be stopped. In order to achieve this water is
made to flow in opposite direction through brake nozzle to that of a runner.
4.4 Various heads and efficiencies:
4.4.1 Heads:
(a) Gross head: It is the difference between the head race and tail race level when there is no
flow. As such it is termed as static head and is denoted as Hs or Hg,.
(b) Effective head: It is the head available at the inlet of the turbine. It is obtained by
considering all losses. If ℎ𝑓 is the total loss, then the effective head above the turbine is

4.4.2 Efficiencies:
Various efficiencies of hydraulic turbines are:
i) Hydraulic efficiency (η𝐻 ) ii) Volumetric efficiency (η𝑉𝑜𝑙 )
iii) Mechanical efficiency (η𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ ) iv) Overall efficiency (η𝑜 )
i) Hydraulic efficiency (η𝐻 ): It is the ratio of power developed by the runner to the water power
available at the inlet ofthe turbine.
ii) Volumetric efficiency (η𝑉𝑜𝑙 ): It is the ratio of the quantity of water actually striking the
runner to the quantity of water supplied to the runner.

iii) Mechanical efficiency (η𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ ): It is the ratio of shaft power output by the turbine to the
power developed by the runner.

iv) Overall efficiency (η𝑜 ): It is the ratio shaft output power by the turbine to the water
power available at inlet of the turbine.
4.5 Work Done by Pelton Wheel:
Where Φ is the angle through which the jet is deflected by the bucket. β2 is the runner tip
angle = 180 − Φ

Fig :Shape of bucket and Velocity diagram

Fig. shows the inlet and outlet velocity triangles. Since the angle of entrance of jet is zero,
the inlet velocity triangle collapses to a straight line, The tangential component of absolute
velocity at inlet 𝑉𝑢1 = 𝑉1 and the relative velocity at the inlet is 𝑉𝑟1 = 𝑉1 - U,
From the outlet velocity triangle,
 From inlet velocity triangle
𝑉1 = 𝑉𝑢1

𝑉1 =2U
4.6 Working Proportions of Pelton Wheel :
𝑚2
( )
𝑠

𝑈
(Φ = )
𝑉1

𝑚3
( )
𝑠
Question No : Define specific speed of a turbine. Obtain an expression for the same in
terms of shaft power, speed and head.
It is the speed of a geometrically similar turbine working under unit head and
developing unit power, i.e. From the definition of specific speed

(1.40)

Unit Quantities:
Question : Define unit quantities. Derive expressions to each of them.

Answer: In hydraulic turbines, it is usual to define unit quantities as

i. Unit flow, ii) Unit speed iii) Unit power,
which are the values of the quantities under consideration per unit head.
i. Unit flow (Qu) OR (Unit discharge ) : Unit flow is the flow that occurs through the
turbine while working under unit head.

(1)

ii. Unit Speed (𝑵𝑼) :Unit Speed is defined as a speed of the turbomachine working under
unit head

From flow coefficient gH𝛼 𝑁 2 𝐷2 , For the given turbomachine

H α 𝑁 2 ; N α √𝐻 ; N =k √𝐻 (1)
From definition of unit speed N=Nu when H=1m
Nu=kx1; k= Nu
Substituting k in eqn (1) ; N=Nu √𝐻;

𝑁
Nu =
𝐻
iii. Unit Power 𝑷𝑼 :Unit Power defined as the power of turbomachine working
under unit head .

We know that P = WQH W= 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

P α √𝐻 H as Q α √𝐻 for a given pump
P α 𝐻 3/2 ;
P = k 𝐻 3/2 − 𝑒𝑞𝑛 1

From the definition of unit power P = Pu when H=1m

Pu = kx1; k = Pu

Substituting k in equation --- 1 ; P= Pu 𝐻 3/2 ;

𝑃
Pu =
𝐻 3/2
Example 1 : Pelton wheel has to be designed for the following data : power to be developed is
5880kW, Net head available = 300m, Speed = 550 RPM, ratio of jet diameter to wheel
diameter is 1/10 and overall efficiency = 85%. •Find the number of jets, diameter of jet,
diameter of the wheel and quantity of water required. Assume 𝐶𝑣 = 0.98 Φ = 0.46

π𝐷𝑁
U=
60
Example 2 : A single jet impulse turbine of 10 MW capacity is to work under a head Of 500m,
If the specific speed = 10, overall efficiency = 0.8 and the coefficient of velocity = 0.98, find
the diameter of the jet and bucket wheel. Assume Φ = 0.46.

Example 3 : A double jet Pelton -wheel is required to generate 7500 Kw when the available
head at the base of the nozzle is 400m. The jet is deflected through 1650and the relative
velocity of the jet is reduced by 15% in passing over the buckets. Determine (i) the diameter
of each jet (ii) Total flow (iii) Force exerted by the jets in the tangential direction. Assume
generator effìciency is 95%, η𝑜 = 80%, speed ratio = 0.47
Example 4 : A Pelton wheel has a tangential velocity of buckets 15 m/s. The water is being
supplied under a head of36m at the rate of 0.02 m3/s. The bucket deflects the jet through
an angle of 160o. If the co-efficient of the velocity for the nozzle is 0.98. Find the power
developed by the wheel.
Example 5 : A Pelton wheel produces 15456 Kw under a head of 335 m running at a speed of 500rpm. Turbine overall
efficiency = 0.84. Jet velocity co-efficiency = 0.98, speed ratio=0.46. If the buckets deflect the incoming jet through an
angle of 165𝑜 , determine, (i) The number. Of jets as well as 'dia of the each jet. (ii) The tangential force exerted by the jets
on the buckets.
Example 6 : It is proposed to generate power from a storage reservoir from which a head of 500
m is available. The length of the penstock required is 1000 m at the end of which two Pelton
wheel each with 4 nozzles are proposed to install. The diameter of the nozzle = 50 mm, 𝐶𝑣 =
0.97, head loss in friction and other causes in penstock = 100m. Friction factor, f =0.02, speed
ratio=0.45, bucket pitch circle diameter at center = 1.24m. The jet is deflected through 165𝑜 in
the bucket with 15% reduction. Mechanical efficiency is 0.94, Determine (a)Total flow in the
nozzle and power developed in the turbine. (b) Diameter of penstock (c)Hydraulic and total
efficiency (d) Unit power, Unit speed, Unit discharge & (e)Specific speed of the turbine.

𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝝅𝒅𝟐 𝝅𝑿𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐

𝑸( 𝑵𝒐𝒛𝒛𝒍𝒆
) = 𝟒
𝑽𝟏 = 𝟒
𝑿𝟖𝟓. 𝟗𝟑
𝒎𝟑
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟕
𝒔

From outlet velocity triangle

𝑽
𝑪𝒃 = 𝑽𝒓𝟐 =100 – 15 = 85 %=0.85
𝒓𝟏
𝑽𝒓𝟐 = 𝑽𝒓𝟏 x 0.85 (From inlet vel triangle)
= (𝑽𝟏 − 𝑼) 𝑿 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓
= (85.93 – 39.87) X 0.85
= 46.06 X 0.85
 𝑫𝟐𝑷
𝟎. 𝟎𝟐 𝑿 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑿 𝟏𝟔 𝑿 𝑸𝟐𝑻 𝑸𝑻 = 𝝅 𝟒
𝑿 𝑽𝑷 =
𝒉𝒇 =
𝟐 𝑿 𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 𝑿 𝝅𝟐 𝑿 𝑫𝟓𝑷 𝑽𝑷 = 4X𝑸𝑻 /π𝑫𝟐𝑷
4.7 Francis Turbine:(working of Francis turbine link -- https://youtu.be/3BCiFeykRzo )
Francis turbine which is of mixed flow type is as shown in Fig. It is of inward flow type of
turbine in which the water enters the runner radially at the outer periphery and leaves axially at
its center . This turbine consists of mainly
(i) Scroll casing (ii) Guide vanes (iii) Runner (iv) Draft tube.

(i) Scroll Casing: The water from

penstock enters the scroll casing (called
spiral casing) which completely
surrounds the runner. The main function
of spiral casing is to provide an uniform
distribution of water around the runner
and hence to provide constant velocity. In
order to provide constant velocity, the
cross sectional area of the casing
gradually decreases as the water reaching
runner
(ii)Guide Vanes: Water enters the series
of guide vanes or fixed vanes. They
surrounds completely around the turbine
runner. Guide vanes functions are to (a)
regulate the quantity of water entering the
runner and (b) direct the water on to the
runner.
(iii) Runner:
The runner of turbine is consists of series of curved blades (16 to 24) evenly arranged
around the circumference in the space between the two plate. The vanes are so shaped
that water enters the runner radially at outer periphery and leaves it axially at its center.
The change in direction of flow from radial to axial when passes over the runner causes the
appreciable change in circumferential force which in turn responsible to develop power.
(iv) Draft Tube:
The water from the runner flows to the tail race through the draft tube. A draft is a pipe or
passage of gradually increasing area which connect the exit of the runner to the tail race. It
may be made of cast or plate steel or concrete. The exit end of the draft tube is always
submerged below the level of water in the tail race and must be air-tight.

4.7.1 Draft Tubes :

There are different types of draft tubes which are employed to serve the purpose in the
installation of turbine are as shown in Fig. It has been observed that for straight divergent
type draft tube, the central cone angle should not be more than 80. This is because, if this
angle is more than 80 the water flowing through the draft tube without contacting its inner
surface which result in eddies and hence the efficiency of the draft tube is reduced.
(a) Straight divergent conical tube
(b) Moody spreading tube (or Hydra cone)
(c) Simple elbow tube
(d) Elbow tube having circular cross section at inlet and rectangular cross section at outlet.
 Fig. Types of draft tubes

Functions of draft tube:

(a) It permits a negative or suction head established at the runner exit, thus making it
possible to install the turbine above the tail race level without loss of head.
(b) It converts large proportion of velocity energy rejected from the runner into useful
pressure energy.
4.7.2 Work Done and Efficiencies of Francis Turbine:
The absolute velocity at exit leaves the runner such that there is no whirl at exit ie, 𝑉𝑢2 = 0.
Inlet velocity triangle are drawn for different conditions as shown in Fig (a) & Fig. b.
Velocity triangles for different conditions
4.7.3 Working proportions of Francis turbine:
Example 1: An inward flow reaction turbine with radial discharge with an overall efficiency of
80% is required to develop 147 kW. The head is 8m. Peripheral velocity of the wheel is
0.96 2𝑔𝐻 , the radial velocity of the flow is 0.36 2𝑔𝐻. The wheel is to make 150 rpm and the
hydraulic losses in the turbine are 22% of the available energy.
Determine:
(i) The angle of the guide blade at inlet
(ii) The wheel vane angle at inlet
(iii) The diameter of the wheel
(iv) Width of the wheel at inlet

𝐡𝐟 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟐 𝐗 𝟖 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟔
Example 2 : Show that the utilization factor for an inward flow reaction turbine with relative
velocity component at inlet perpendicular to the tangent of the wheel and the absolute velocity al
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 α1
the exit is radial is given by Є = ,Where α1 , is the angle made by the entering fluid
1+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 α1
with tangent of the wheel.
Example 3: In a Francis turbine, the discharge is radial. The blade speed at inlet = 25 m/s. At
the inlet tangential component of velocity = 18 m/s. The radial velocity of flow is constant and
equal to 2.5 m/s. Water flows at the rate of 0.8 𝑚3 /s. The utilization factor is 0.82. Find i)
Euler's head ii) Power developed iii) Inlet blade angle iv)Degree of reaction R, Draw the
velocity triangles. Solution : Given : 𝑢1 = 25 m/s, 𝑉𝑢1 = 18 m/s , 𝑉𝑓 = 2.5 m/s, Q = 8 𝑚3 /s.
Example 4 : The inlet and outlet diameters of an outward flow turbine are 1.2 m and 1.5m
respectively. The wheel has a speed of.300 rpm while working under a head of45 m the
quantity of water passing through the wheel is 5 𝑚3 /s, hydraulic efficiency (η𝐻 ) = 0.90 and
breadth of the wheel is 0.3 m, find the angles of the blades and guide vanes.
 2
Example 5: For Francis turbine show that the hydraulic efficiency = where α1 is
(2+ 𝑇𝑎𝑛2 α1 )
Flow angle at inlet, and given that (l) the component of velocity normal to the tangential
direction is constant from inlet to outlet (2) relative velocity at the inlet is radial (3) absolute
velocity at outlet is radial. Sketch the velocity triangles

Example 7.21 : An inward flow Francis turbine operates at 486 rpm and uses 100 m'/min of
water. The draft tube diameter at inlet and outlet are 0.8 m and 1.5 m respectively. The length
of the draft tube is 30m. The available head is81m. Assuming η𝑉 = 0.98, η𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ = 0.97 η𝐻 =
0.92, find the runner tip diameter, power output and speed ratio if the flow ratio = 0.2. The
blade at the inlet is inclined 120O to the wheel tip velocity.
(2)
4.8 Propeller and Kaplan Turbines:
The Kaplan turbine is an axial flow reaction turbine in which the flow is parallel to the axis of
the shaft as shown in the Fig. This is mainly used for large quantity of water and for very low
heads (4-70 m) for which the specific speed is high. The runner of the Kaplan turbine looks
like a propeller of a ship. Therefore sometimes it is also called as propeller turbine. At the
exit of the Kaplan turbine the draft tube is connected to discharge water to the tail race.
l)At inlet, the velocity triangle is as shown in Fig.
2) At the outlet, the discharge is always axial with no whirl velocity component i.e., outlet
velocity triangle just a right angle triangle as shown Fig.

Fig (a) Main components of Kaplan turbine Fig (b) Velocity triangles for Kaplan Turbine
 4.8.1 Working Proportions of Kaplan Turbine:

Example 1 : A Kaplan turbine produces 80,000 HP (58,800 kW) under a head of 25m which has an overall
efficiency of 90%. Taking the value of speed ratio = 1.6, flow ratio = 0.5 and the hub diameter = 0.35 times
the outer diameter. Find the diameter and the speed of the turbine.
Example 2: Determine the efficiency of a Kaplan turbine developing 2940 kW under a head of
5m. It is provided with a draft tube with its inlet diameter 3m set at 1.6m above the tail race
level. A vacuum pressure gauge connected to the draft tube inlet indicates a reading of 5m of
water, Assume that draft tube efficiency is 78%.

𝑝2 𝑉22−𝑉32
= - 𝐻𝑠 −
ρ𝑔 2𝑔

Fig :Draft tube

Example 3: A Kaplan turbine generates 2800 kW when working under a head of 12m. The
draft tube is 0.65 below tail race level, areas at inlet and outlet being 38 𝑚2 & 55 𝑚2 . If the
turbine efficiency is 90% and the draft tube efficiency is 80%. Find the pressure at the inlet
to the draft tube.